Kentucky judge-executive charged with soliciting gifts

Sep. 14, 2017

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky judge-executive has been charged with using his position to solicit gifts and payments.

The U.S. attorney's office said 44-year-old Joseph L. "Jody" Jenkins of Union County was charged by a grand jury in Bowling Green on Wednesday. He faces four counts of scheming to defraud the county.

Prosecutors said Jenkins is accused of soliciting and accepting approximately $20,000 in cash in 2014 in his official position as Union County judge-executive. The money allegedly came from someone identified only as "J.H." The news release from prosecutors said in return, Jenkins directed that false invoices be submitted by "J.H." for payment by the county for purchase of equipment.

A working phone listing in Jenkins' name could not be found Wednesday evening.